Bruins Add To Woes Of Hawks

October 17, 1988|By Mike Kiley.

Why, shut my goalmouth! The Blackhawks could set a team record this week that they don`t want.

Come to think of it, a lot of things could happen in the next couple of weeks that the Hawks don`t want as this bewitched and bewildered team staggers onto the road Tuesday to start a critical seven-game, 14-day trip that will keep them out of town until Nov. 3.

In fact, one of them happened Sunday night, when they were routed 10-3 by the Boston Bruins at the Stadium.

The Hawks (1-4-1) haven`t shut out an opponent for the last 115 games, dating back to goaltender Bob Sauve`s 5-0 victory Jan. 28, 1987, over Toronto. That leaves them one short of equaling the club mark of 116 games without a shutout, a period from Jan. 30, 1980, to Oct. 17, 1982.

But of more immediate concern is the dismal showing against Boston, which swelled the Hawks` goals-against total to 35.

They have given up 17 goals in two straight games and tied a team record for most powerplay goals allowed in a game. They yield five to the Bruins, the same number Edmonton scored against them in 1980.

The Bruins scored three power-play goals in a four-goal second period.

That hiked Boston`s lead to 7-3, sent Cam Neely on his way to a 7-point game and knocked out rookie goalie Jimmy Waite after two periods.

Coach Mike Keenan decided Waite had endured enough abuse and inserted Darren Pang in goal to start the last period.

Hawks rookie center Mike Hudson took matters into his own hands to tie the score 3-3 after 2:28 of the second period. He fought his way loose on the right side of the net and scored from in front.

But Boston regained the lead 4-3 when Waite couldn`t react quickly enough after saving a shot that bounced off him to his right. Trent Yawney made a run at Keith Crowder as he came at the sprawled Waite for the rebound shot, but Crowder couldn`t be turned away from flicking in the go-ahead goal.

The Hawks mounted powerplays at 6:21 and 8:10, even holding a two-man advantage for 11 seconds in the middle period. But their pressure wasn`t as good as it could have been in these circumstances, and they came away without a goal for their efforts.

Another powerplay opportunity for the Hawks went awry when Rick Vaive was called for interference, putting the teams were at equal strength again.

Boston`s lead jumped to 5-3 on one of Neely`s two goals in the second period. He sticked his way around Mike Eagles and defenseman Dave Manson, who left Waite all alone as he went to cover a Bruin awaiting a pass at the side of the net. Neely beat Waite one-on-one.

Waite was victimized again less than three minutes later. He made a save that popped straight up in the air. He lost sight of the puck and didn`t see it come down behind him in the crease. By the time he could recover, Michael Thelven had slapped the puck into the net for a 6-3 lead.